Monday, January 9, 2017

Meet the Blogger with Ceil Ryan

It's Meet the Blogger Monday! This month I have the pleasure of hosting Ceil Ryan, of Surrounded by the Spirit. This lovely writer and I met through blogging, of course, and if there's one thing I've noted about her, it's that she has a genuine heart for others. Her wise and often witty posts always seem to address a need or offer an encouraging word - or both.

Welcome, Ceil! So glad to have you visit. Why did you start blogging? How
long have you had your current blog?

Hi Karen! Thank you so much for including
me in your Meet the Blogger Series. I have enjoyed reading about the other
bloggers you’ve featured, and I’m honored to be here!

In 2012, I finished writing four
chapters of a book on the Parable of the Talents. Then I figured it was time to investigate how
to get published. Well, that was an eye-opener. I found out I needed: an
advanced degree, publications, a speaking career, a blog and a Twitter account
before I would even be allowed to submit a manuscript. Yikes. Getting published
sounded impossible. I quit writing the book (which was a good move because it
was terrible) and started my first blog, Evangelize to Me, in 2013 on the Google
Blogger platform. The next year I migrated the blog to Wordpress, changing the
name to Surrounded by the Spirit.

Thepublishingprocess can be a complicated one, that's for sure. Maybe a revised version of that book will find a home someday. :) What is your current blog about?

I reflect on the events of my
life, or the lives of those around me, trying to figure out what God is trying
to say. God constantly speaks through our friends, our families, our day-to-
day chores, and us. And He keeps speaking, whether we are listening or not,
telling us the love story of how we belong to Him and to all created things.
His spirit surrounds us!

I agree. That's a great comfort. What benefits have you gained
through blogging?

I started blogging to learn how
to express myself, and to find focus. I think that’s all I expected, but I’ve
gotten so much more than that. There’s such a large world of bloggers out
there, all expressing what’s important to them. It’s fascinating to read
different posts and learn new things, and new ways of thinking. But most of
all, I love the relationships that form with fellow bloggers. I have had the
privilege of meeting two blog-friends face to face, and it was like meeting old
friends. Blog-land is big, but it’s also one of the friendliest, most
encouraging places I’ve ever been.

The relationships are the best! "Blog-land"is big and small, isn't it? That's fun that you've met two other bloggers so far. What projects are you working on now?

I’m currently writing two talks
that are planned for the spring. One is a half-day retreat, the other a
one-hour presentation, both for women. I
was recently asked if I’d like to speak at a Ministry Conference breakout
session in April.

Sounds interesting - I'm sure you'll be a blessing to those attending. What might people be surprised to
learn about you?

1) I don’t like pie, unless it’s
chocolate or pecan. Please, for the love of all that’s holy, stop putting fruit
in my dessert!

2) Although I started out writing
a book, I don’t think that’s something I should be doing now. I’m very happy
writing for the blog, as well as designing talks and mini-retreats.

There are so many good things writers can do other than write books. Sounds like you are keeping busy. What advice would you share with
a newbie blogger?

Be gentle with yourself. When I
started, I think I had a headache every day. It’s overwhelming at first, but
you’ll get it. Take the time to read other blogs and comment on them too. To
me, blogging is notonly about developing your own
voice; it’s about encouraging others while they find theirs. You’ll meet some
wonderful people and make good blog friends too.

Wonderful advice! It's an interesting journey with ups and downs, and the results are totally worth it. Thanks so much for coming by to see us. :)

Thank you, Karen!

More About Ceil

Ceil Ryan is a wife, nurse, mom
and nana living in the Midwest. After working more than twenty years, she hung
up her nurse’s cap to start writing, speaking and blogging full-time. Her
passion is sharing personal stories with an emphasis on faith and encouragement.

57 comments
:

So great to meet, Ceil. I can relate to her journey. I started blogging because writers needed it as part of a social platform. Now I write full-time for my job, but not to publish a book. My blog takes up the time I'd have to write.

Hi Sandi! Heavy sigh... I know I've let you down... Lol! Maybe we could share a piece of cake??You are so right about blogging being a gift. I have met bloggers from all over the USA, and from Europe too. It is miraculous.Thanks for visiting here today!Ceil

Hi Lynn! Thank you for your kind comment here, I feel the same way about you. It's so great to have so much support and encouragement from you, and the blogging community as a whole. You're a great example of how great the community really is!Blessings,Ceil

Hi Alex! It really is about making those connections, isn't it? It was fun to read your interview, you are an inspiration to writers and bloggers. Thank you for making a comment here. May 2017 be a year of inspiration for you!Blessings,Ceil

Hi Donna! I agree with you, Karen is so generous. I have always enjoyed reading her "Meet the Blogger" series. Isn't it crazy how large the blogging world is? I look forward to your visit, and getting to know more about you too!Blessings,Ceil

Hi, Karen!Thanks for featuring Ceil on your blog - she is one of the most delightful and insightful bloggers out there, hands down! I have followed Surrounded by the Spirit for quite a while now, and am honored that Ceil follows me at Meditations of My Heart. Hope you will visit sometime! https://marthaorlando.blogspot.com

Hi Martha! Thank you for coming over to visit me here today, and for your very lovely comment too. I'm glad we're connected through our blogs, and you are yet another example of how friendly the blog world is.Blessings,Ceil

Hi Karen and Ceil:Very inspirational interview of one of my favorite bloggers out there! I had the privilege of meeting Ceil in person and she is as delightful in person as she writes. She's down to earth and very friendly and a blessing to so many. My favorite part of the interview is her encouragement to bloggers to not only be patient with themselves, but to reach out to others and visit with comments. I will be praying for your speaking slot in that women's ministry, Ceil. That audience is in for a treat!

Hi Mary! I remember our coffee date very well, thank you for taking the chance to meet! And thank you especially for your prayers, those I really need. Thank you for your gracious comments here, and your friendship too,Ceil

Hi, I'm visiting from Ceil's blog. I've been enjoying Ceil's writing and friendship for quite awhile. Ceil, I enjoyed getting to know you a bit better. Keep up the great work on your blog and in all the other parts of your ministry. Thank you so much for your continued encouragement on my ministry--written (blog) and spoken.

Hi Kim! Thank you for coming over and commenting too. I think bloggers are some of the most generous people, and your kind words reflect that. We encourage each other, which is a wonderful benefit of writing on a blog!Blessings,Ceil

Yes, Karen, I do know Ceil! What a lovely, precious lady, who I would consider to be a dear friend! I am so thankful to learn more about you, Ceil, and to come and visit you here today. :) Thank you for sharing your heart and for the loving support you have provided to me so many times. You are a blessing to this blogging world, and I am so thankful God ever led you to become a part of it. We are all better off because you are a part of our lives. God bless you abundantly, sweet friend, and thank you, Karen, for featuring Ceil. It was so nice to "meet" you!

Hi Cheryl! Thank you for coming over and commenting too. Your words really prove that the blogging community is supportive and encouraging. Thank you for your kind words! It's been great to be a part of the Meet the Blogger series with Karen. I have always enjoyed reading about other writers, and now it's so fun to be included.I'm so glad we're connected through our blogs,Ceil

This was a great interview, Karen. Ceil is a sweet blogging friend of mine and was one of my first followers. She is truly a gifted writer who has a wonderful way of using her everyday life experiences to minister to her readers. Thank you for featuring Ceil on your blog. Many blessings to you!

Hi Ceil - How nice to see you here! I get your emails and popped over here the moment I noticed you were on my friend's blog. It's always nice to learn more about your blogging friends. Have a blessed week, Susan :)

Hi Susan! I remember reading your interview here with Karen, it's so fun to learn more about each other in this format. Karen is a very generous person, giving us space to communicate with each other on her website.We are certainly blessed by her friendship!Ceil

Hi Karen - how lovely to meet Ceil and find out more about her. She sounds the perfect person to give a talk, to be encouraging ... actually to be calming and peaceful in her approach to life - wonderful attributes ...

You've got it right Ceil ... you're doing things you're passionate about, and as the time comes around you'll move across somewhat and include books, or booklets into your repertoire ... they're all there - the talks to be compiled at some stage.

Lovely interview and just what we need at this time of year. The blogging fraternity is amazing isn't it ... and if you're not in it - you can't understand it and in some instances won't understand it ... I've learnt so much about so many things - educated myself more in the last 8 years than through the rest of my life ...

Cheers and have very happy and peaceful and successful 2017s .. Hilary

Hi Hilary! Thank you for your supportive comments here. I do think that a book or booklet is in the distance, if at all...but if the time comes, it comes. Thank you for your kind words about my speaking ministry. I hope you're right! I do enjoy planning and writing programs, and hope to do more in the coming years.Nice to meet you!Ceil

Kim,It's good to meet you! Thank you for stopping by for the interview. We've been blessed with a good friend in Ceil, haven't we? :)

Cheryl,It's nice to meet you too! :) Thanks for taking the time to visit us. Ceil's the genuine article, isn't she? We're blessed to call her friend.

Debby,Thanks so much! Appreciate you stopping by for the interview, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Ceil's sweet nature just speaks volumes to us, doesn't it?:)

Susan,Ceil's a gem, isn't she? :) Thanks for hopping over to see us. I'm with you; it's fun to learn more about our friends.

Hillary,So glad you had a chance to meet Ceil. I suspected you'd enjoy doing so.:) I agree, Ceil does sound like she's a good sounding board and counsel. Yes, this blogging fraternity is an amazing thing. We are blessed, aren't we?

Hi Joylene! So nice to meet you too! We do all have issues in common, and that's why it's nice to share our experiences. That way I don't feel like the Lone Ranger either :)It's always great to meet and learn from new people. Blessings,Ceil

Karen and Ceil: I enjoyed this interview. I find it interesting she wrote a book first and then found out about building a platform through blogging. I read Ceil's blog when ever I can. When I haven't been able to read it, I miss her style. Same goes for you,too, Karen.

Hi Cecelia! I think there are so many reasons people start to blog, it's interesting to reflect back on why we began in this fascinating world isn't it?Thank you for your blog friendship all these years, and for your lovely comment here,Ceil

Hi Jeanette! I know, I know. The fruit would probably be good for me too. The first time I met my in-laws, I was faced with an apple pie. What could I do? I couldn't insult them...so of course I choked it down. Later, it became a funny story in the family. I'm glad we can still be friends, and overlook the whole dessert debate!Ceil

Cecelia,Glad you enjoyed the interview. Yes, I found that interesting as well. We all have different yet similar journeys, don't we? Thanks so much for your kind words. You are a good and sweet friend! :)

Jen,I agree, she always brings some nugget of truth to light. :) The fruit thing, yeah, I had to work past that too. LOL But we love her anyway, right?

Hi Chris! Please don't bet all your money, your family will need it. Trust me, that book was bad! I know I could do a way better job now. It's very humbling to read what I thought was good content. Oy. But I do appreciate your faith in me. Maybe someday?You can put a pound of sugar in there, and I'll still take a pass. You can pass the ice cream though!Blessings,Ceil

Hi Linda! Oh jeez, what a disappointment! To put all that work into something and have it not work out, that's frustrating. Thank you for your kind words about our blog-friendship! It's been a while now, and I always enjoy reading your words. Looking forward to 2017 :)Ceil

Keep the fruit out of my desserts, too. ha. I relate to you, Ceil. "Blog-land is big, but it’s also one of the friendliest, most encouraging places I’ve ever been." I agree with you here too! So thankful you're part of blogland.

Hi Lisa! Finally!! Someone who doesn't care for fruit in bakery items, yay!I'm thankful for you Lisa, and your many ministries in helping others. You are always an inspiration to me, and to all your readers. May 2017 be another year of joyful giving for you,Ceil

Chris,I'm with you, add the crust and ice cream and you're all set! :) Good to meet you. Thanks so much for coming by! :)

Linda,You are welcome! Appreciate you stopping over for Ceil's interview. So sorry about the pie - maybe next time it will turn out better. Or maybe next time the bakery section at the grocery store might be able to help? They've come to my rescue a time or two. lol :)

Lisa,It's nice to meet you! I agree, blogland is a wonderful place. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

Fun to read this write up about you Ceil. Love and agree with your comment: Blog-land is big, but it’s also one of the friendliest, most encouraging places I’ve ever been. Meeting people like you in blog land has been such a surprising blessing

Hi Jean! Well, we've been friends for a long time, and I have really enjoyed meeting and learning from you. Like Karen, you have so much wisdom to share. I hope we can meet 'in person' someday. Until then, may God keep inspiring you richly in the new year,Ceil

Ceil's blog is lovely and, although I have a lot to learn about blogging, I find it a very simple way to interact with other writers all around the world. I would encourage anyone who feels inspired to blog, it is not as hard as I initially thought it would be. I hope that this interview will add many to the blog-list.

Hi Brenda! I'm glad you figured out the link to come over! Being linked to you certainly proves the international community in blogging. I also hope that many will join in. It's fun to learn about other people.Thank you for coming today :)Ceil

Hi Marja! Thank you for visiting here and on my blog too. I hope we can keep up the connection! You are another reason that the blogging community is an international one, but still a small, helpful place.Blessings,Ceil

So happy to stop over here and read the interview with Ceil. I had not heard of how she got into blogging, and hope that someday she will write again, I enjoy all her posts, she is always a blessing and inspiration. I'm happy to meet you today too :)

Words to Live By

About Me

I am a freelance writer and editor, an online writing instructor, and the author of Write for Life and Homeschool Co-ops 101. My current WIP is a series of writing lessons for teens.
I am a follower of Christ and am happily married to Jeff. We have two sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. I like to read, write, walk, and spend time with family. My posts appear on Mondays, but I often post a random thought or notice in between. Thanks for coming by!